Iranian President Mohammad Khatami will pay an official visit to Spain in 2002, an Iranian official said.
“The visit is at the invitation of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar,” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Ahani, currently in Madrid, according to the Iranian news agency (IRNA).
“Spain is showing great interest in promoting its relations with the Islamic Republic, and the country's supportive stance in the European Union toward Iran has provided a suitable ground for the two countries to strengthen their ties,” he said.
Spain is Iran's third biggest trade partner after Germany and Italy.
The total value of trade increased by $450 million in 2000, compared with the previous year, according to IRNA.
A delegation of Spanish representatives in the fisheries sector will visit Iran in the upcoming months to study grounds for closer cooperation between Tehran and Madrid, he said, adding that the two countries could also start a joint cooperation plan in the agriculture sector and cultivation of olive trees – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
